COVID-19 outbreaks in jails spread like wildfire due to close quarters, unsanitary conditions, overcrowding and staff going in and out of facilities every day. As elected officials, you have an obligation to protect the health of inmates and the public. A major outbreak in the jails will certainly cause loss of life in the jails, increase community spread in the region and endanger the lives of the general public.

We, the undersigned, call on Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, The Fresno County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Margaret Mims to take immediate action on the following:

1) Release anyone charged with an offense that does not involve a serious physical safety risk to the community and stop jail churn by ending the practice of jailing those who don’t pose a serious safety risk. This includes technical violations of parole or probation regardless of the underlying offense.

2) Release elderly persons unless there is clear evidence that release would present an unreasonable risk to the physical safety of the community.

3) Release populations that the CDC has classified as vulnerable (those with asthma, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes) unless there is clear evidence that release would present an unreasonable risk to the physical safety of the community.

4) Release persons in the jail who are within 6 months of completing their sentence. Provide soap, CDC-recommended hand sanitizer, medical care, comprehensive sanitation and cleaning of facilities and other safety measures as recommended by the CDC for those who remain incarcerated. Eliminate medical co-pays.

5) Release to the public the existing plan and procedures in place to address COVID-19 within the jail.

To summarize, jails are breeding grounds for rapid spread of the virus because it is an enclosed structure. People constantly book in and out and each day staff are going in and out. Separating sick people from well people to prevent spread is nearly impossible due to logistical issues. It is the responsibility of decision makers at all levels to prevent community spread of COVID-19 by taking the most effective immediate action as outlined above.